MINIMAL JITTERS: Biz group downplays effect of ‘shabulized’ Bacolod tag

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – There’s nothing to worry.

This was the reaction of Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), to the statement of Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido, head of City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), tagging Bacolod a “shabulized city” in the meantime due to the proliferation of illegal drugs.

Carbon said the tag has “very minimal” effect to the business sector, particularly the investors, as they conduct their own research and project feasibility studies.

“We do not just base our research on news reports. We don’t rely on the statements of officials,” he said, although they also consult law enforcers for statistics on crime volume and traffic accidents.

Carbon said they do their own research especially that big investments pour in the city.

“We’re talking about billions here, not just thousands or millions,” he said, adding that once they do the study, they also do their own validation of information.

He said there’s no need to meet with the law enforcers about the recent statement, as he believed it won’t affect the business sector.

But Carbon said the recent statement of Espenido might affect visitors who are not aware of the city’s welfare.

Espenido made headlines Thursday when he announced to journalists last Wednesday that illegal drugs still exist and proliferate here despite the intensified campaign of the police against narcotics.

He tagged Bacolod as a “shabulized city” for now, following huge volume of drug recovery and number of arrested drug suspects.

Espenido said that policemen should be committed and dedicated to run after big drug personalities to put an end to the drug problem here.

He also urged station commanders to be consistent in the arrest of significant drug personalities.

“Hindi ba kayo napupuno? Humuhuli kayo bawat araw. Hindi natatapos. Walang katapusan. Iba nanghuhuli for compliance na lang. Nandito tayo para magtrabaho. Kapag may nahuli, tanungin agad kung saan galing ang drugs,” he said, adding that he can operate even outside Bacolod if he really wants to go after drug personalities.

Espenido said that the problem of illegal drugs here is not yet over because one of the reasons is that many police officers are dependent on their superior.

“But, I am not dependent, even though I contest with my senior officer as long as I’m right, I will fight against them,” he stressed.

He said that Police Colonel Henry Biñas, director of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), respects his order from Camp Crame as mentioned earlier by President Rodrigo Duterte.

He said that the city director is a good supervisor, and being a lawyer, he would intervene if there are wrong doings.

At present, police are monitoring six drug groups in Negros Island, Espenido said.

Espenido urged the people to speak and tell the authorities their knowledge about the source of the illegal drugs here.

The Bacolod City government has yet to issue an official statement about it.

 

‘HELP US’

Meanwhile, Espenido asked the local government units (LGUs) to provide logistical support to the police to boost their capabilities in the anti-illegal drug campaign.

Espenido said he requested Mayor Evelio Leonardia to help the police here given Bacolod’s very large area.

He said they also need fuel for the vehicles used during police response and operations.

He said the LGU and the police should help each other to achieve their goal.

Espenido recalled that during his assignment in Ozamiz, the LGU there had provided for the vehicles, reward system, food, and allowance of the operatives.

He said the support of the LGU can encourage police to do better in their efforts to get rid the illegal drugs here.

He also urged media to unite and help the authorities in their anti-illegal drugs campaign.